Rural Life Initiative

In order to support our rural communities across the diocese, Social Concerns leads the Rural Life Initiative (RLI). Through our shared call to holiness and building upon faith foundations, the RLI offers relationship-building, acts as a resource, and provides opportunities to enhance leadership skills, service and advocacy around rural concerns and the needs of the marginalized and underserved in our rural diocese.

This is accomplished by:

• Focusing on ongoing faith formation and education
• Providing Resources and guidance
• Identifying, forming and supporting leaders
• Relationship-Building/ Community-Building
• Encouraging the Two Feet of Love in Action (Service and Advocacy)
• Identifying and addressing rural issues

Rural Life Fund

The Rural Life Fund is available to help individuals and families in rural areas throughout our diocese who experience a sudden financial set-back or emergency. Funds up to $2,000 can be available through the Social Concerns department to help individuals with qualifying expenses that arise unexpectedly which would push a one into financial crisis or further a situation of poverty.

• Requests must be made through a Faith Leader (pastor, parish or diocesan staff or Social Ministry team member, etc.).
• Funds cannot be used for rent, mortgage or utility payments; all other requests will be considered on a case by case basis, in communication with the faith leader who made the request.
• Those looking to request funds, as well as those able to donate to it and help support their neighbors in need, should contact a Social Concerns staff member for more information.

Sts. Isidore and Maria

In Church tradition, we have a beautiful partnership of work by the married farm couple, Isidore & Maria. These saints labored with their hands, cared for the land and its creatures, and brought a blessing to the poor of their day and the Church for all time.

Learn more about these patron saints of farmers and rural life, including a Novena to Sts. Isidore and Maria, at Catholic Rural Life’s website. This is also a great site for additional blessings and spiritual resources.

Sts. Isidore and Maria’s feast day is May 15. We invite parishes, Area Catholic Communities and other faith-based groups to consider utilizing the following Prayers of the Faithful or any of the above spiritual resources to honor this feast day, or to use throughout the year, as we honor our rural tradition. 

Catholic Century Farm Award

The Diocese of Saint Cloud would like to honor Catholic families who have farmed and nurtured the same land for 100 years or more. Farm families who meet the criteria will be honored by the Bishop, with a certificate and special award for their home. Registration deadline is July 1 for presentation in August. Share the Catholic Century Farm Award flyer in your ACC or community. If you, or someone you know, has a Catholic Century Farm, please view the requirements and application form below, and apply to be honored for your century or more of farming with faith!

Catholic Rural Business Award

The Catholic Rural Business Award is given to a Catholic business owner of a rural business within the St. Cloud Diocese, in recognition of their significant contributions to rural life through time, talent or treasure; the award is a way of honoring those who demonstrate their faith in how they run their business. It is presented to Catholic business owners who demonstrate: Catholic values in all areas of their life; serves rural areas; are recognized as leaders in their community; are committed to supporting the dignity of their employees and customers; and in these and other ways exemplify the faith and the work-ethic of St. Joseph the Worker. One award will be given annually, presented in August. Share the Rural Business Award flyer in your ACC or community. Nominate a community member, your employer or yourself at the form below for the next Catholic rural business.

Prayer for Rural Life

God of creation,
thank you for the gift of rural life that is lived on farms,
in small towns and in rural homes.
By placing us so close to the rhythms of nature,
we are given a nearness to your creation
and to your very heart.
Keep us ever mindful of this gift
and help us be faithful stewards who care for the land
as you care for us.
Help us find your joy in the smell of a fresh spring rain
or newly cut hay.
Remind us each time we hear the laughter of the wind or the songs of birds
that we are hearing your whisper of love to all the earth.
And in long winter nights
remind us of your constant nearness and care.
Keep us mindful too, O God,
that we are part of a world-wide human family.
Move us beyond self-interest to a sincere and loving compassion for all.
We pray that with you we will walk humbly,
engage with others gently,
and work for justice that is enjoyed by all.
Sts. Isidore and Maria, pray for us. Amen.
God of creation,
thank you for the gift of rural life that is lived on farms,
in small towns and in rural homes.
By placing us so close to the rhythms of nature,
we are given a nearness to your creation
and to your very heart.
Keep us ever mindful of this gift
and help us be faithful stewards who care for the land
as you care for us.
Help us find your joy in the smell of a fresh spring rain
or newly cut hay.
Remind us each time we hear the laughter of the wind or the songs of birds
that we are hearing your whisper of love to all the earth.
And in long winter nights
remind us of your constant nearness and care.
Keep us mindful too, O God,
that we are part of a world-wide human family.
Move us beyond self-interest to a sincere and loving compassion for all.
We pray that with you we will walk humbly,
engage with others gently,
and work for justice that is enjoyed by all.
Sts. Isidore and Maria, pray for us. Amen.

Oración por la Vida Rural

Dios de la creación, 
gracias por el regalo de la vida rural que se vive en las granjas, 
en pueblos pequeños y en los hogares rurales. 
Al colocarnos tan cerca de los ritmos de la naturaleza, 
se nos da una cercanía a tu creación 
y hasta a tu mismo corazón. 
Mantéennos siempre conscientes de este regalo. 
Ayúdanos a ser administradores fieles y cuidadores de la tierra, 
Así como tú eres un cuidador de nosotros. 
Ayúdanos a encontrar tu alegría en el olor de una fresca lluvia primaveral,
o heno recién cortado. 
Recuérdanos cada vez que escuchemos la risa del viento o el canto de los pájaros,
que estamos escuchando tu susurro de amor hacia toda la tierra. 
Y en las largas noches de invierno 
recuérdanos tu constante cercanía y cuidado. 
Mantennos conscientes también, oh, Dios, 
que somos parte de una familia humana mundial. 
Muévenos más allá del interés propio hacia una compasión sincera y amorosa por todos. 
Oramos para que contigo caminemos humildemente, 
E interactuemos con los demás respetuosamente. 
Trabajemos por la justicia que todos disfrutamos. 
Santos, Isidoro y María, oren por nosotros. 
Amén.